Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis

This disease generates decalcification, a loss of bone density and bone quality, eventually leading to bone fragility and increasing the patient’s risk of fractures.

Context

Bone is made up of living tissue that is constantly changing, a process known as remodelling, a continuous process of production and resorption of bone tissue. The body adds more bone than it takes away until age 30.

 

 

Consequences

The main consequences of osteoporosis are numerous fractures and the pain and discomfort they cause.

The most common fractures are:

• Vertebrae

• Hip: femoral neck

• Wrist

The complications of osteoporosis are associated with increased mortality rates, especially in the older population. Consequences of these fractures include:

– Hospitalisation.
– Acute and chronic pain
– Decreased autonomy
– Inability to walk without assistance (cane or walker)
– Height loss due to vertebral compression.
– Curved spine (hyperkyphosis)
– Age acceleration.

Osteoporosis risk factors

– Low bone density before menopause.
– Maternal family history of fracture.
– Early menopause, hysterectomy with oophorectomy…
– Calcium-deficient diet.
– Sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity.
– Osteoporosis is more common in white and Asian people
– Smoking
– Excess consumption of alcohol
– Certain drug therapies: corticosteroids, etc.

Prevention

Vous pouvez contribuer vous-même à prévenir l’ostéoporose par un mode de vie sain !

– Adequate calcium intake: 1000 to 1200 mg of calcium a day through food or medication.

Dietary sources of calcium include cheese, milk, yoghurt, tinned sardines, broccoli, spinach, and dried figs.

– What’s more, vitamin D is important for calcium absorption.